{"id":4989,"date":"2012-12-17T17:58:30","date_gmt":"2012-12-18T00:58:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ann-tran.com\/?p=4989"},"modified":"2013-01-04T18:14:09","modified_gmt":"2013-01-05T01:14:09","slug":"dj-kiss-intelligence-and-beauty-all-wired-into-one-woman","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ann-tran.com\/2012\/12\/dj-kiss-intelligence-and-beauty-all-wired-into-one-woman\/","title":{"rendered":"DJ Kiss – Intelligence and Beauty all WIRED into One Woman"},"content":{"rendered":"

WIRED + Marriott hosted the 2012 grand finale to their #Culturazzi series in New York City this past week.<\/strong><\/a> \u00a0While there, enjoying the tremendous gathering of talent and innovation, I had an opportunity to sit down for a quick chat with television personality and Deejay, JaKissa Taylor-Semple. \u00a0Taylor-Semple spins tracks under the name DJ Kiss<\/em><\/strong><\/a> and, believe me, her mixes are spectacular.<\/p>\n

She has worked private parties for some of the most well-known celebrities around: \u00a0Madonna, Heath Ledger, Jamie Foxx, Sean \u201cDiddy\u201d Combs, Drew Carey, and Naomi Campbell — just to name a few. \u00a0Her colorful client list includes some of the most beloved brand names ever, including Billboard, Grey Goose (who doesn\u2019t love a little Grey Goose?), Louis Vuitton, Alexander Wang, Diane von Furstenberg, MTV, GQ Magazine, Comedy Central, US Weekly, and of course, the NFL.<\/p>\n

Worldly, But Down to Earth<\/strong><\/p>\n

As a lover of travel, I just had <\/em>to ask Taylor-Semple about her extensive travels and if she had a favorite destination spot amid all the exotic places she\u2019s been. \u00a0\u201cI love Europe, but specifically enjoy cities like Istanbul and Athens that represent the very \u2018cradle of civilization\u2019. \u00a0It\u2019s destinations like that — the ones that have a deep meaning for all the peoples of the world — that truly touch me as a traveler. \u00a0When in Athens, \u00a0I visited the Acropolis and the Parthenon.<\/p>\n

Similarly, I enjoyed a real life experience of the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar when I traveled to Istanbul. \u00a0So I have to say that I truly love destinations that have ancient history woven within their fabric — right next to everyday life,\u201d she explained. \u00a0Her love of historical places and ancient ruins resonated with me deeply because I love these things as a traveler too.<\/p>\n

A Passion for Fashion and Music<\/strong><\/p>\n

We talked about life and how it can get in the way of what we love. \u00a0Life can certainly throw some curve balls and, if you\u2019re not careful, you may end up making a living in a career that doesn\u2019t thrill you — something dry and empty for you. This confident woman obviously loves what she does. \u00a0\u201cI feel like I\u2019ve made definite choices in my life to do things I\u2019m passionate about. \u00a0 Music and fashion are my two main passions,\u201d she beamed. \u00a0Taylor-Semple clearly has a penchant for style and a profound love of music.<\/p>\n

She said that she\u2019s been \u201cway into music\u201d since a very young age. \u00a0\u201cMy parents are professional, old-school southern \u00a0folks. \u00a0 They weren\u2019t too keen on my choosing to become a deejay. \u00a0But when they came and saw me perform, they understood. \u00a0They saw, then, that it [music] is in my blood.\u201d \u00a0 She went on to say that her dad expressed admiration that she made a career out of music even though she can\u2019t play an instrument. \u00a0 Now that\u2019s determination and passion – a true calling.<\/p>\n

I asked her about her favorite music genre and she quickly answered that she literally wakes up listening to 80s era music, but also has a deep affection for classic soul music. \u00a0 This beauty loves to listen to Britney Spears, to Fergi, to just about everything. \u00a0 But, at the end of the day, it\u2019s the 80s and soul music that live in her heart. \u00a0 On top of all of that — she does it with panache and style that will knock you over. \u00a0 Check out her website: XOXO, Kiss – Diary of a Fashion-Obsessed DeeJay<\/a><\/p>\n

A Difference That\u00a0 Delivers<\/strong><\/p>\n

What really impressed me about this ultra-talented woman is her humility. \u00a0She doesn\u2019t think of herself as the greatest. She doesn\u2019t see herself as this untouchable superstar. \u00a0Instead she sees herself as super fortunate to have forged a career that focuses on the two things she loves most in the world – music and fashion. \u00a0 She\u2019s just different than many other people who have risen to this level of authority in their careers.<\/p>\n

Taylor-Semple seems truly grateful for all that she has and all that she\u2019s worked for. \u00a0\u201cYou know you\u2019ve grown your career, you\u2019ve grown your business, but at the end of the day, look at the grand scope of the world; you\u2019re a deejay, you\u2019re not curing cancer, you\u2019re not teaching young minds.\u00a0 Make sure you understand where you are in that hierarchy of things,\u201d she quips.<\/p>\n

To me, that statement says it all. \u00a0 Taylor-Semple is the bomb! \u00a0 She\u2019s all that and more and she\u2019s so grounded and grateful for her success. \u00a0I\u2019m honored to have met her and to have had the chance to chat with this amazing lady.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

WIRED + Marriott hosted the 2012 grand finale to their #Culturazzi series in New York City this past week. \u00a0While there, enjoying the tremendous gathering of talent and innovation, I…Posted on<\/span>